Stormrider Guide to surfing Cactus

South Australia, AUSTRALIA

Blackfellows, Marc Fenies

Summary

+ Consistent swells	- Great white sharks
+ Quality reefbreaks	- Cold water
+ Powerful lefts and rights	- Deadly snakes
+ Hardcore trip	- Fierce locals

AustraliaÕs interior consists mainly of desert while the coastline, which is more exposed to wet oceanic influences, is a lot greener. One exception is the Great Australian Bight coast of South Australia, where the treeless red dust of the Nullarbor Plain meets the ocean and the great waves of Cactus can be found. Despite the desolation, this is a real Mecca for the hardcore Australian surf traveller, since its discovery in the 1960s.

When to Go

Lows generally pass below South Australia, although in winter they will sometimes strike the coast in the east of the state. The winter swell exposure is massive with constant 6-12ft swells, but they are frequently messed up by onshore SW winds. Summers are still very consistent for swell, but the wind patterns arenÕt stable. Mornings are often offshore (NE), whilst afternoons suffer from strong onshore sea breezes. Early winter is a better bet for offshores than late winter. Tides vary a lot and affect the quality of the waves.

Surf Spots

From Penong, head another 21km south down a white lime, dirt road to Point Sinclair. The most southern spot is an outside break called WitzigÕs, which is a powerful left with dredging take-offs. Like just about all the breaks in Cactus, itÕs for confident, experienced surfers. Backdoor is a hectic right that barrels ferociously over a sharp, shallow reef near deep water below cliffs - get the picture? N-E winds and a wide swell-window but S-SW lines it up best. Cunns is a fairly inconsistent, mid tide left thatÕs a good place to go if Cactus gets too crowded. It has S wind protection from the cliffs, walls can be a bit sectiony and it closes-out at the end. Strangely enough, Cactus itself is the least intimidating wave in the area as the lefts usually offer an easy entry with a nice little barrelling section. Once again, the locals will probably be surfing another break, unless it is having a good day on a headhigh swell at low to mid tides. Will close-out around 10ft and can be a longer ride than the other reefs. In the middle of the bay is Castles, where itÕs a case of inside zippery reforms on small days and outside grinding barrels on big days. Outside Castles is where most bites have occurred, including the attacks on a notorious, but now deceased local nicknamed ÔShark BaitÕ, because he had been knocked off his board and mauled several times! The adjacent deep channel is the breeding ground for hundreds of Bronze Whalers and is easy access to the coast for great whites. Just on the other side of this spooky channel is Caves, a phenomenal right which is the locals favourite and regarded as the best spot in the Cactus area. With morning offshores and a decent swell, it can become a reeling, world-class, voluminous barrel breaking over a shallow ledge. Caves holds a good size, prefers lower tides and must be offshore NE. Guys have settled down here purely to surf this spot and they enforce strict laws about wave priority. On the other side of the small peninsula are two other board-breaking, shallow reefs, which are seldom ridden. Crushers is the left that needs a bit more W in the swell to get the barrels grinding across the regulation shallow reef. Seems to be the least crowded break on the Cactus stretch when there are lots of surfers about. Supertubes is the right, so fast, tubular tight envelopes are the go. It breaks a fair way out, only at low, which is strange considering how shallow it is. More W in the swell will take the edge off it.

Statistics

dominant swell

S -SW

swell size (ft)

4-5

5-6

6-7

5-6

consistency (%)

dominant wind

SE -S

E -SW

N -E

S -W

average force

F3-F4

F4-F5

consistency (%)

water temp (C)

wetsuit

4/3

Travel Information

Weather
This is a harsh desert climate! It’s always hot in the afternoons, summers are suffocating and mornings are chilly, especially in the winter when you will need warm clothing at night. Coastal upwelling and a cold offshore current means that the water temperature hardly ever gets above 14°c (57°F), which is a bizarre contrast when the summer land temps reach 40°c (105°F). The wind-chill factor can be pretty bad. Take a 4/3 steamer and booties, year round.

Lodging and Food
Camping only. The land is private property (Foreshore Park) where you can camp for $3/d. There’s no electricity and no luxuries other than the small shop selling basics. Take everything you need with you, including water.

Nature and Culture
There’s very little around this area except dust, shimmering salt pans and flies, from whom there is no escape (except when surfing). It’s a wild and untamed area that many people would consider hell.